Resonant demolition tool

ABSTRACT

An impact tool is provided for applying impact energy to a material, the impact tool comprising a fork portion having a first tine, a second tine, and a base portion; an exciter component at one end of the first tine, configured to excite the first tine to resonate at a given frequency, the second tine configured to resonate sympathetically with the first tine; and a striking surface on one or both tines, the striking surface configured to contact the material so as to apply impact energy to the material. A method for applying impact energy to a material is provided, the method comprising raising the tines away from the material; actuating the exciter component to cause the tines to resonate at a given frequency; and positioning one of tines to strike the material so as to apply impact energy to the material.

REFERENCE TO PENDING PRIOR PATENT APPLICATION

This patent application claims benefit of (1) pending prior U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/556,177, filed Mar. 25, 2004by Mark Nye for RESONANT DEMOLITION TOOL, and (2) pending prior U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/662,034, filed Mar. 15, 2005by Mark Nye for RESONANT DEMOLITION TOOL which patent applications arehereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is related to demolition apparatus and methods in generaland more particularly to apparatus and methods for pulverizing amaterial using a resonant demolition tool.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For many demolition tasks, it is often desirable to apply a minimalamount of impact energy at a relatively high velocity. As anillustration, two examples are discussed below of an equal amount ofimpact energy applied to pulverize a standard clay brick lying on agrass surface.

In a first example, a 2600 lb lead weight is raised one foot above thebrick and dropped. The brick is then driven down into the grass and maynot even fracture. Most of the kinetic energy will be converted to heatas the sod is displaced and compressed.

In a second example, a .308 rifle is positioned over the brick and therifle is fired directly down so as to shoot the brick at point-blankrange. The brick will be completely shattered such that most of theenergy of the bullet fired by the rifle is converted to kinetic energyin the flying bits of brick.

In both examples the impact energy is 2600 ft-lbs, but the energytransfer is quite different. High velocity impact is generally much moresuited to pulverizing a material. Accordingly, it would be desirable toprovide an impact tool which efficiently provides impact energy at ahigh velocity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The high velocity impact tool of the present invention provides ademolition apparatus for pulverizing a material using resonant energy ata high velocity.

An object of the invention is to provide an impact tool for pulverizingconcrete.

Another object of the invention is to provide an impact tool forcompacting materials.

Another object of the invention is to provide an impact tool for drivingpiles.

Another object of the invention is to provide an impact tool fordemolishing reinforced concrete structures.

Another object of the invention is to provide an impact tool forreducing oversized quarry rocks.

Another object of the invention is to provide an impact tool for freeingrock jammed in a rock crusher.

Another object of the invention is to provide an impact tool forrubblizing concrete roads and runways.

Another object of the invention is to provide an impact tool for curringasphalt.

Another object of the invention is to provide an impact tool for drivingor pulling sheet pilings.

Another object of the invention is to provide an impact tool forexcavating earth.

Another object of the invention is to provide an impact tool for minesweeping.

Another object of the invention is to provide an impact tool forevaluating the strength of a structure.

A still further object is to provide a method for applying impact energyto a material with a tuning fork having an exciter component mountedthereto so as to pulverize material by actuating the exciter componentat the first tine end of the tuning fork and applying resonant energy tothe material using the second tine of the tuning fork.

A still further object is to provide a method for applying impact energyto a material with a tuning fork having an exciter component mountedthereto and configured for attachment to a vehicle.

A still further object is to provide a method for applying impact energyto a material with a tuning fork having an exciter component mountedthereto and configured for hand-held operation.

With the above and other objects in view, as will hereinafter appear,there is provided an impact tool for applying impact energy to amaterial, the impact tool comprising:

a fork portion having a first tine, a second tine, and a base portion,the first tine having a first end and a second end, the second tinehaving a third end and a fourth end, the first end of the first tineconfigured adjacent the base portion, and the third end of the secondtine configured adjacent the base portion;

an exciter component disposed adjacent at least one of the second end ofthe first tine and the fourth end of the second tine, wherein theexciter component is configured to excite the first tine and the secondtine to resonate sympathetically with one another at a given frequency;and

a striking surface disposed adjacent at least one of the second end ofthe first tine and the fourth end of the second tine, wherein thestriking surface is configured to contact the material with the firsttine and the second tine resonating sympathetically with one another soas to apply impact energy to the material.

In accordance with a further feature of the invention there is providedan impact tool for applying impact energy to a material, the impact toolcomprising:

a resonating bar member having a single tine and a base portion, thesingle tine having a first end and a second end, the first end of thesingle tine configured on one side of the base portion, and the secondend of the single tine configured on the other side of the base portion;

an exciter component disposed at one chosen from the group consisting ofthe first end of the single tine, the second end of the single tine, andan anti-node disposed between the first end and the second end, whereinthe exciter component is configured to excite the single tine toresonate at a given frequency;

a striking surface disposed adjacent at least one of the first end ofthe single tine and the second end of the single tine, wherein thestriking surface is configured to contact the material with the firstend of the single tine and the second end of the single tine resonatingsympathetically with one another so as to apply impact energy to thematerial; and

a frame member in connection with the resonating bar member, and theframe member selectively connectable with various carrier vehicles.

In accordance with a still further feature of the invention, there isprovided a method for applying impact energy to a material, the methodcomprising:

providing an impact tool for applying impact energy to a material, theimpact tool comprising:

-   -   a fork portion having a first tine, a second tine, and a base        portion, the first tine having a first end and a second end, the        second tine having a third end and a fourth end, the first end        of the first tine configured adjacent the base portion, and the        third end of the second tine configured adjacent the base        portion;    -   an exciter component disposed adjacent at least one of the        second end of the first tine and the fourth end of the second        tine, wherein the exciter component is configured to excite the        first tine and the second tine to resonate sympathetically with        one another at a given frequency; and    -   a striking surface disposed adjacent at least one of the second        end of the first tine and the fourth end of the second tine,        wherein the striking surface is configured to contact the        material with the first tine and the second tine resonating        sympathetically with one another so as to apply impact energy to        the material;

raising the second tine away from the material;

actuating the exciter component so as to cause the first tine and thesecond tine to resonate at a given frequency with increasing amplitudeuntil a desired level of excitation is achieved and maintained; and

positioning first tine and second tine to cause the second tine tostrike the material while the exciter component maintains the givenfrequency of resonation of the second tine so as to apply impact energyto the material.

The above and other features of the invention, including various noveldetails of construction and combinations of parts and method steps willnow be more particularly described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings and pointed out in the claims. It will be understood that theparticular devices and method steps embodying the invention are shown byway of illustration only and not as limitations of the invention. Theprinciples and features of this invention may be employed in various andnumerous embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other objects and features of the present invention will bemore fully disclosed or rendered obvious by the following detaileddescription of the preferred embodiments of the invention, which are tobe considered together with the accompanying drawings wherein likenumbers refer to like parts, and further wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of one form of a resonant demolition toolhaving a tuning fork configured for attachment to a thirty tonexcavator, illustrative of a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is another schematic view of the tuning fork and rotatbleconnector component of the resonant demolition tool as shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of another preferred embodiment of thepresent invention with a resonant demolition tool having a resonatingbar member with a frame selectively attachable to a carrier vehicle;

FIGS. 4A-4G are schematic views of various components disposed at thestriking surface of a working tine or an impact tool;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of another preferred embodiment of thepresent invention with a resonant demolition tool having a tuning forkwith a pair of radically curved tines;

FIGS. 6-8 are diagrammatic illustrations of a model of an impact toolwith a pneumatically driven exciter component mounted on an excitertine;

FIGS. 9-11 are diagrammatic illustrations of an impact tool of thepresent invention having a handle mounted at the base of the tuning forkfor hand-held operation by a single operator; and

FIGS. 12-18 are diagrammatic illustrations of an impact tool of apreferred embodiment of the present invention having a tuning fork asshown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, and in a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, there is shown a resonant impact tool 5 for pulverizingconcrete and performing other various tasks. Resonant impact tool 5 isreferred to herein below as impact tool 5.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, and in a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, impact tool 5 comprises a steel profile forming a very largetuning fork 10. For a typical carrier 15, such as a thirty ton excavator15, the overall length is preferably about 2000 mm to about 3500 mm andthe thickness is preferably about 100 mm to about 250 mm. A base portion12 of fork 10 is preferably pivotally mounted to an arm 20 of carrierapparatus 15 with a rotatable connector component 17. Two existingbucket pins 25 are attached to rotatable connector component 17 suchthat tuning fork 10 can be angled up and down by the machine's bucketcylinder 30. A turn-table 35 attached by pins 35A to base 12 of fork 10between fork 10 and carrier machine 15 allows the entire assembly to berotated so a working tine 40, having a striking surface 45, can be usedat any angle.

In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, a striking surfaceis located on each of tine 40 and 50. In another preferred embodiment ofthe present invention, a striking surface is located on tine 50 insteadof tine 40.

A resonant tine 50 of fork 10 is excited by an exciter 55, which ispreferably a motor driven rotating eccentric weight 55A mounted at anend 60 of tine 50. Working tine 40 resonates sympathetically withresonant tine 50 as it is excited by exciter 55. An enlarged strikingsurface 45 at an end 65 of working tine 40 is used to deliver blows tothe material to be demolished.

As discussed herein below, and in other preferred embodiments of thepresent invention, working tine 40 may include other tools disposedthereon.

Preferably, the tine displacement or amplitude of working tine 40 isabout 15 mm to about 30 mm. This amplitude is proportional to excitationstrength provided by the motor driven weight 55A, and can be varied bychanging the mass and radius of rotating eccentric weight 55A.

Preferably, the impact frequency is about 10 Hz to about 500 Hz, and,more preferably, the impact frequency is about 30 Hz to about 60 Hz,which is set by the length of tine 45. Impact energy provided atenlarged striking surface 45 is a function of the amplitude, frequencyand mass of tine 45.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, fork 10 comprisesone or more selected materials. For example, these materials mayinclude, but are not limited to, at least one of steel, carbon fiber,aluminum, and monel, for non sparking applications.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, a fork portion islaminated vertically with multiple portions joined together at thelocations of the nodes such that the fork portion has a constructionsimilar to a transformer (not shown).

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, a fork portion islaminated horizontally with multiple portions joined together at thelocations of the nodes such that the fork portion has a constructionsimilar to a leaf spring (not shown).

Referring now to FIG. 3, and in a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, there is shown a resonating bar member 10A. A frame 67preferably connects resonating bar member 10A to rotatable connectorcomponent 17 with a fixed node pin 69 and a suspension link 70 to afloating node pin 75.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, a resonating barmember is laminated vertically with multiple portions joined together atthe locations of the nodes such that the bar member has a constructionsimilar to a transformer (not shown).

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, a resonating barmember is laminated horizontally with multiple portions joined togetherat the locations of the nodes such that the bar member has aconstruction similar to a leaf spring (not shown).

Impact tool 5 may be used to drive a pick, chisel, plate packer,rotating drill, sheet pile driving clamp, replaceable impact hammer,blender, mixer or one or more other tools.

Referring now to FIGS. 4A-4F, and in a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, working tine 40 of impact tool 5 preferably includes,but is not limited to, one or more various components 45A, 45B, 45C,45D, 45E, 45F, and 45G disposed at striking surface 45 of working tine40.

Looking at FIG. 4A, there is shown impact tool 5 with component 45Aconfigured for rapid demolition of steel reinforced concrete structures.For example, component 45A preferably comprises a round or flat chiselpoint.

Looking at FIG. 4B, there is shown impact tool 5 with component 45Bconfigured for compacting materials. For example, component 45Bpreferably comprises a compactor foot.

Looking at FIG. 4C, there is shown impact tool 5 with component 45Cconfigured for driving piles, demolishing reinforced or non-reinforcedconcrete structures, reducing oversized quarry rocks, freeing materialjammed in rock crushers, or rubblizing concrete road beds or runways.For example, component 45C preferably comprises an elephant foot.

Looking at FIG. 4D, there is shown impact tool 5 with component 45Dconfigured for cutting asphalt. For example, component 45D preferablycomprises a cutter wheel.

Looking at FIG. 4E, there is shown impact tool 5 with component 45Econfigured for driving or pulling sheet pilings. For example, component45E preferably comprises a clamp.

Looking at FIG. 4F, there is shown impact tool 5 with component 45Fconfigured for excavating earth. For example, component 45F preferablycomprises a spoon blade 45F.

Looking at FIG. 4G, there is shown impact tool 5 with component 45Gconfigured for mine sweeping. For example, component 45G preferablycomprises a multi-tined rake 45G. Preferably, the multiple tines ofmulti-tine rake 45G are configured to sift and travel through the dirt,raking, without plowing.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention (not shown), impacttool 5 is configured for evaluating the strength of structures. Forexample, the impact frequency of working tine 40 of impact tool 5 isselectively adjusted to test concrete columns for seismic stability.

Referring to FIG. 5, and in a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, there is shown an impact tool 5B comprising an alternativelyshaped tuning fork 10B having a pair of radically curved tines 40A and50A.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention (not shown),variable length tines are preferably provided to allow resonantfrequency adjustment so as to provide a matching frequency for optimizedperformance relative to various materials.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, impact tool 5 isconfigured to be mounted on various types of stationary or mobileequipment.

Looking at FIGS. 6-8, and in a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, there is shown a table mounted impact tool 80 having asupport portion 85 for holding base 12 of tine 40 and tine 50. Apneumatic system 90 is provided to drive a pneumatic motor, which inturn drives weight 55A (FIG. 1).

Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, and in a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, there is shown a resonant impact tool 105 having ahandle 135 configured for hand-held operation by a single operator.Preferably, handle 135 includes a pair of hand grips 135A and 135B inattachment to base portion 115.

Looking at FIGS. 9-11, and in a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, there is shown exciter 55 with an electric motor 55D to driveweight 55A (FIG. 1).

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the motor ofexciter 55 preferably comprises a rotary hydraulic motor, a pneumaticmotor, or an electric motor. In another preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, exciter 55 preferably comprises a linear actuator, amagnetic coil, a piezoelectric motor or an internal combustion engine.

Referring now to FIGS. 12-15, and in a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, there is shown a resonant impact tool 5 with ahydraulic exciter component 200 and a machine mount 205 (FIGS. 14-18)configured for attachment to a vehicle 210 (FIGS. 14 and 17).

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED METHOD OF OPERATION

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a method foroperating impact tool 5 preferably comprises the following steps. First,tine 40 and tine 50 are raised away from the material. Second, excitermotor 55 is started. Third, tine 40 and tine 50 each begin to resonatewith increasing amplitude until fully excited. Fourth, tine assembly 10is rotated and positioned to cause one or both of excited tine 40 andexcited tine 50 to strike the material to be pulverized.

ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The impact tool of the present invention is scalable within a wide rangeof sizes and uses.

The impact tool of the present invention is configured for quietoperation due to a low amount of energy needed per impact.

The impact tool of the present invention has a relatively simpleconstruction, with no precision parts.

The impact tool of the present invention does not require any specialalloys or heat treated parts.

The impact tool of the present invention is able to produce smallerrubble due to high energy rate.

The impact tool of the present invention is able to process unsupportedmaterial as it does not require anything to hit against.

The impact tool of the present invention does not drive material down oraway from striking surface.

The impact tool of the present invention is able to use the material'sown inertia to shatter it at high velocity.

The impact tool of the present invention is able to demolish items ofrelatively low mass.

The impact tool of the present invention produces very little or noseismic disturbance. The impact tool of the present invention does notshake the surrounding ground or foundations. The impact tool of thepresent invention is configured for applications in connection withurban search and rescue inasmuch as it does not cause movement ofstructures and is distinct from a hydraulic hammer or breaker.

Some potential disadvantages of the impact tool of the present inventionmay include fatigue cracking of the tines and that careful control ofapplication pressure may be required to avoid instances of stalling andloss of excitation when too much application pressure is applied to theworking tine.

Having described preferred embodiments of the invention with referenceto the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that theembodiments shown herein are by way of example, and that various changesand modifications may be effected by one skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined in thefollowing claims.

1. An impact tool for applying impact energy to a material, the impact tool comprising: a fork portion having a first tine, a second tine, and a base portion, the first tine having a first end and a second end, the second tine having a third end and a fourth end, the first end of the first tine configured adjacent the base portion, and the third end of the second tine configured adjacent the base portion; an exciter component disposed adjacent at least one of the second end of the first tine and the fourth end of the second tine, wherein the exciter component is configured to excite the first tine and the second tine to resonate sympathetically with one another at a given frequency; and a striking surface disposed adjacent at least one of the second end of the first tine and the fourth end of the second tine, wherein the striking surface is configured to contact the material with the first tine and the second tine resonating sympathetically with one another so as to apply impact energy to the material.
 2. An impact tool according to claim 1 wherein the second end of the first tine and the fourth end of the second tine are disposed at a given width from one another, a maximum width between the first tine and the second tine prior to the second end and the fourth end, and the given width between the second end and the fourth end is the selected from the group consisting of (1) a first width equal to the maximum width between the first tine and the second tine prior to the second end and the fourth end, and (2) a second distance less than the maximum width between the first tine and the second tine prior to the second end and the fourth end.
 3. An impact tool according to claim 1 wherein the first end of the first tine and the second end of the second tine are integral with the base portion, respectively.
 4. An impact tool according to claim 1 wherein the fork portion comprises a tuning fork.
 5. An impact tool according to claim 1 wherein the given frequency comprises a range of about 10 Hz to about 500 Hz.
 6. An impact tool according to claim 5 wherein the given frequency comprises a range of about 30 Hz to about 60 Hz.
 7. An impact tool according to claim 1 wherein the exciter component comprises an eccentric weight.
 8. An impact tool according to claim 7 wherein the eccentric weight is driven by one chosen from the group consisting of a rotary hydraulic motor, a pneumatic motor, an electric motor, a linear actuator, a magnetic coil, a piezoelectric motor, and an internal combustion engine.
 9. An impact tool according to claim 1 wherein the exciter component comprises one chosen from the group consisting of a linear actuator, a magnetic coil, a translating weight, a piston.
 10. An impact tool according to claim 9 wherein the magnetic coil of the exciter component provides an alternating electromagnetic field.
 11. An impact tool according to claim 1 wherein the fork portion comprises at least one chosen from the group consisting of steel, carbon fiber, aluminum, and monel.
 12. An impact tool according to claim 1 wherein the fourth end of the second tine further comprises one selected from the group consisting of a pick, a chisel, a plate packer, a rotating drill, a sheet pile driving clamp, a replaceable impact hammer, a blender, and a mixer.
 13. An impact tool according to claim 1 wherein the first tine and the second tine each comprise a variable length tine so as to allow frequency matching to a selected material.
 14. An impact tool according to claim 1 wherein the base portion comprises a connector component.
 15. An impact tool according to claim 14 wherein the connector component of the base portion comprises a rotatable coupler so as to allow three-dimensional positioning of the first tine and the second tine.
 16. An impact tool according to claim 14 wherein the connector component of the base portion comprises a quick coupler for attachment to a carrier vehicle.
 17. An impact tool according to claim 14 wherein the connector component of the base portion comprises a pin connector configured for attachment to an excavator.
 18. An impact tool according to claim 1 wherein the base portion comprises a handle configured for hand-held operation by a person.
 19. An impact tool for applying impact energy to a material, the impact tool comprising: a resonating bar member having a single tine and a base portion, the single tine having a first end and a second end, the first end of the single tine configured on one side of the base portion, and the second end of the single tine configured on the other side of the base portion; an exciter component disposed at one chosen from the group consisting of the first end of the single tine, the second end of the single tine, and an anti-node disposed between the first end and the second end, wherein the exciter component is configured to excite the single tine to resonate at a given frequency; a striking surface disposed adjacent at least one of the first end of the single tine and the second end of the single tine, wherein the striking surface is configured to contact the material with the first end of the single tine and the second end of the single tine resonating sympathetically with one another so as to apply impact energy to the material; and a frame member in connection with the resonating bar member, and the frame member selectively connectable with various carrier vehicles.
 20. An impact tool according to claim 19 wherein the frame member is configured to allow selective positioning of the resonating bar member to strike a non-horizontal surface.
 21. A method for applying impact energy to a material, the method comprising: providing an impact tool for applying impact energy to a material, the impact tool comprising: a fork portion having a first tine, a second tine, and a base portion, the first tine having a first end and a second end, the second tine having a third end and a fourth end, the first end of the first tine configured adjacent the base portion, and the third end of the second tine configured adjacent the base portion; an exciter component disposed adjacent at least one of the second end of the first tine and the fourth end of the second tine, wherein the exciter component is configured to excite the first tine and the second tine to resonate sympathetically with one another at a given frequency; and a striking surface disposed adjacent at least one of the second end of the first tine and the fourth end of the second tine, wherein the striking surface is configured to contact the material with the first tine and the second tine resonating sympathetically with one another so as to apply impact energy to the material; raising the second tine away from the material; actuating the exciter component so as to cause the first tine and the second tine to resonate at a given frequency with increasing amplitude until a desired level of excitation is achieved and maintained; and positioning first tine and second tine to cause the second tine to strike the material while the exciter component maintains the given frequency of resonation of the second tine so as to apply impact energy to the material. 